Characteristics of Living Things Chapter 2 Section 1 Characteristics of Living Things

Cell: the smallest functional and structural unit of all living organisms. Homeostasis: the maintenance of a constant internal state in a changing environment.

Sexual reproduction: reproduction in which the sex cells from two parents unite to produce offspring that share traits from both parents.

Asexual reproduction: reproduction that does not involve the union of sex cells and in which one parent produces offspring that are genetically identical to the parent.

Metabolism: the sum of all chemical processes that occur in an organism.

Living things carry out the chemical activities of life by using energy. All living things grow during parts of their lives.

Deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA): molecule that is contained in the cells of all living things. Stimulus: any kind of change that living things can sense and respond to.